December 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

December is the month dedicated to Advent and the Coming of Christ.

Maranatha!

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF JESUS,

IMMACULATE MARY,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Dear Faithful Readers, Happy New Liturgical Year and welcome to the most holy season of Advent, on this first day of December 2025, the month dedicated to Advent and the coming of Christ. Come, and save us, Lord our God; let your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. Alleluia, alleluia. 

The holy season of Advent is a time of preparation, a time to be still, a time to free ourselves from the obstacles that limit our experience of the presence of Jesus who has already come, who will come, and who continuously comes. One way to go about that is by embracing the wisdom of Abba Antony. As the story goes, "Someone asked the Abba Antony, 'What sort of practices do I need to maintain in order to please God?' In reply the elder said, 'Practice what I am prescribing for you: Wherever you go, keep God right before your eyes-always. Whatever you're doing, hold on to the testimony of the holy Scriptures. Wherever you're living, don't be in a hurry to move on. Keep these practices and you'll be saved.'"* Stay awake. Wait. Wait for the Lord. Be still and know that He is God. Recognize His presence at all times and in all places. And you will be saved.

At the same time, it is in this holy season that we anticipate Christmas with the great "O" Antiphons, listed here in part, traditionally sung before and after the Canticle of Mary at Vespers from December 17-23. May we proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Come, Lord Jesus, come. 

O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Most High ... 

come and teach us the way of prudence.

O Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel ...

come and redeem us with outstretched arm.

O root of Jesse, who stands as a sign among the people ...

come to deliver us and tarry not.

O Key of David, opening the gates of God's eternal Kingdom ...

come and free the prisoners of darkness!

O Rising Dawn, splendor of eternal Light and Sun of Justice ...

come and illuminate those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

O King of the nations and their Desire, the Cornerstone who binds two into one:

come and save mankind, whom you fashioned from clay.

O Emmanuel, our King and Lawgiver ...

come and save us, O Lord our God!

United in faith and prayer, we go forth with words to inspire us ...

To prepare our hearts to welcome the Lord who, as we say in the Creed, will come one day to judge the living and the dead, we must learn to recognize His presence in the events of daily life. Advent is then a period of intense training that directs us decisively to the One who has already come, who will come and who continuously comes.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005, General Audience, December 18, 2002)

The world might have expected the Son of God to be born in an inn; a stable would certainly be the last place in the world where one would look for Him. The lesson is: divinity is always where you least expect to find it. So the Son of God made man, is invited to enter into His own world through a back door.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1975)

You too, are mothers of the Child who has been born for you and in you ... Keep watch in your care for the newborn Child.

(Guerric of Igny, 1070/80-1157)

The whole of Christ's life was a continual teaching: His silences, His miracles, His gestures, His prayer, His love for people, His special affection for the little and the poor, His acceptance of the total sacrifice on the cross for the redemption of the world, and His resurrection are the actualization of His word and fulfillment of revelation.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Catechesi Tradendae, 9)

When it is sincere and comes from the heart, deep emotion is the most eloquent response [to] a great love or a great sorrow ... No word or gesture or gift can substitute for it because it is the best gift. It means opening oneself to the other.

(Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M., Cap., preacher to the papal household)

Strict with myself, I want to be only kind and gentle with my neighbor. To live in interior union with our God, and to make of all the monotony, triviality, and simple duties of my life so many prayers for others.

(Servant of God Elisabeth Leseur, 1866-1914)

At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern.

(Mother Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it.

(Saint John of the Cross "The Mystical Doctor," 1542-1591)

All my works, Lord, are truly nothing without your grace and mercy, which you so generously shower on all creatures, and this without number or measure. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God (Rom 11:33).

(Venerable Thomas a Kempis, 1380-1471)

But because I ask for silence,

don't think I'm going to die.

The opposite is true;

it happens that I'm going to live.

(Pablo Neruda, 1904-1973)

No one heals himself by wounding another.

(Saint Ambrose of Milan, 339-397)

No one, whether shepherd or wise man, can approach God except by kneeling before the manger of Bethlehem and adoring Him hidden in the weakness of a new-born Child.

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 563)

Let us imitate blessed Stephen as far as God gives us the grace to do so. Let us not only love our friends but also our enemies, because there is nothing whereby we can so well redeem our sins, overcome the devil, and please God.

(Saint Caesarius of Arles, 468/70-542)

Now Christmas is come

Let us beat up the drum,

And call all our neighbors together,

And when they appear, 

Let us make them such cheer

As will keep out the wind and the weather.

(Washington Irving, 1783-1859)

BLESSED CLEMENTINE ANUARITE,

SAINT ALEXANDER BRIANT,

SAINT RALPH SHERWIN,

SAINT EDMUND CAMPION,

SAINT BIBIANA,

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST,

SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

SAINT CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA,

SAINT GERARD OF MAYO,

SAINT JOHN ALMOND,

SAINT BIRINUS,

SAINT NICHOLAS, BISHOP,

SAINT AMBROSE OF MILAN,

SAINT JUAN DIEGO CUAUHTLATOATZIN,

OUR LADY OF LORETO,

SAINT EULALIA OF MERIDA,

SAINT MELCHIADES,

SAINT EDMUND GENNINGS,

SAINT JOHN ROBERTS,

SAINT EUSTACE WHITE,

SAINT POLYDORE PLASDEN,

SAINT SWITHIN WELLS,

POPE SAINT DAMASCUS I,

SAINT MARIA MARAVILLAS OF JESUS,

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE,

SAINT FINIAN OF CLONARD,

SAINT LUCY, VIRGIN, MARTYR,

SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS,

SAINT VIRGINIA CEBTURIONE BRACELLI, 

BLESSED URBAN V,

SAINT CHAEROMON,

SAINT JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL,

SAINT ADELAIDE,

SAINT GATIAN,

BLESSED MARY OF THE ANGELS,

SAINT OLYMPIAS,

BLESSED SCUBILION,

SAINT FACHANA OF KILFENORA,

SAINT FLANNAN, BISHOP,

SAINT DOMINIC OF SILOS,

SAINT JOHN OF KETY, PRIEST,

SAINT THORLAK THORHALLSSON,

SAINT STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR,

SAINT JOHN, APOSTLE, EVANGELIST,

SAINT ANYSIUS,

THE HOLY FAMILY,

POPE SAINT SYLVESTER I,

PRAY FOR US.

* See Tim Vivian, Becoming Fire: Through the Year with the Desert Fathers and Mothers (Cistercian Studies/Liturgical Press, 2024), entry for December 2, p. 370.

This month's photo: The Light has come into the world; He is wrapped in swaddling clothes. For you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays (Malachi 3:20a).

© Gertrude Feick 2025

October 2025

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

October is the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary 

Month of Mission, World Mission Sunday, October 19: "Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples"

Respect Life Month: "Life: Our Sign of Hope"

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.

OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

OUR LADY OF VICTORY,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Welcome to October, dear faithful readers. Yes, indeed, you can be sure that I am wearing my Little Flower footies today.* For all the saints ... Ready or not, then, this is a great month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. Why not accept the invitation of Pope Leo XIV, one he extended in a recent General Audience. On September 24, 2025, after he delivered his catechesis, the Holy Father made this announcement:

Dear brothers and sisters, the month of October is now approaching, and in the Church it is dedicated in a special way to the Holy Rosary. Therefore, I invite everyone, every day of the coming month, to pray the Rosary for peace: personally, in the family, in the community.

On this first day of month of October, we get started. With peace as our quest and aim (see the Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17), then, a rosary a day keeps the doctor away. Remember that we pray for peace that the world cannot give as Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid" (John 14:27). After all, "He is peace ... He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:14, 17-18). 

What does peace mean to you? One way to look at peace is through the eyes of Jesus. How did Jesus respond to division, lack of faith, unrest, anxiety, doubt, rejection, betrayal, dismissal? When Jesus rebuked the disciples, He clearly told them that He, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders" (Luke 9:21-22). We too suffer and are rejected by others, sometimes those we love. Our privilege is to suffer with Jesus and be rejected with Jesus. I marveled at the witness of Saint Therese Couderc (1805-1885), who became the first member of a new religious community in 19th century France, one dedicated to operating retreats for women, work that was a dangerous novelty at the time. Not daunted, Therese led the community to grow in numbers, even though they faced poverty and harsh climate. When the community ran into debt, Therese was blamed. She humbly stepped aside. Successive superiors blamed and ignored Therese and assigned her menial tasks. When the community became divided, Therese was called in to reconcile arguments among the sisters. Alas, Therese was overlooked again. Therese's response is not entirely unpredictable. As related, Therese "learned a great deal about loving God during times of trial and how to peacefully accept His will" (Magnificat, "Saint Who?", September 26, 2025, p. 371). 

Since God certainly loves us no matter what, we, in turn, love Him no matter what. So, as we pray the Most Holy Rosary each day this month, most especially on Mondays and Saturdays with the Joyful Mysteries, and the first mystery, The Annunciation, we pray with Mary, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38). And on Tuesdays and Fridays, when we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries, and are with Jesus in the garden in the first mystery, we pray with Jesus, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). We are united in faith and prayer and remember something Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), one of the great Doctors of the Church commemorated on October 15, wrote in The Interior Castle, that is, "Let the Christian be valiant." Together, with Jesus and Mary, we pray for peace this month, personally, in the family, in the community. May the peace of Jesus fill our hearts with joy and hope. 

And not without a few voices (I meant to have more so be on the lookout) to encourage us and plenty of saints to intercede for us, we keep going.

The Rosary is the book of the blind where souls see and there enact the greatest drama of love the world has ever known; it is the book of the simple, which initiates them into mysteries and knowledge more satisfying then the education of other men; it is the book of the aged, whose eyes close upon the shadow of this world, and open the substance of the next. The power of the rosary is beyond description.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1885-1979)

We can pray fifty times or more each day: "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us poor sinners how and at the hour of our deaths. Amen." Is it likely that the Blessed Mother will abandon us in our final hour if we say this prayer each day?

(Blessed Franz Jagerstaetter, 1907-1943)

The Holy Rosary is the storehouse of countless blessings. 

(Blessed Alan de la Roche, 1428-1478)

To pray the rosary is to hand over our burdens to the merciful hearts of Christ and His Mother.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Recite your Rosary with faith, with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance.

(Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, 1673-1716)

The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.

(Saint Francis de Sales, 1567-1622)

If by chance your conscience is burdened by sin, take your Rosary and say at least part of it ... [Jesus] will plead for you and will obtain for you contrition and the forgiveness of your sins.

(Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, 1673-1716)

To be always close to Jesus, that's my life's plan.

The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.

The Rosary is the ladder to climb to Heaven.

(Saint Carlo Acutis, 1991-2006)

The Rosary is not a devotion to the Blessed Virgin, it is the devotion to Mary.

(Blessed Pauline Jaricot, 1799-1862)

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

(Saint Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226)

Jesus does not demand great actions from us but simply surrender and gratitude.

(The Little Flower, Saint Therese of Lisieux, 1873-1897)

The heart is commonly reached, not through the reason, but through the imagination. Persons influence us, voices melt us, looks subdue us, deeds inflame us. Many a man will live and die upon a dogma: no man will be a martyr for a conclusion.

(Saint John Henry Newman, 1801-1890)

I need nothing but God and to lose myself in the heart of Jesus.

(Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, 1647-1690)

All the elect die in the love of God. but it is the privilege of few to die of the love of God ... And to die of the love of God is the surest way of going to Him at once.

(Mother Saint Theodore Guerin, 1798-1856)

There is no place for selfishness-and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when loves requires sacrifice.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, 1920-2005)

Every one of us is entrusted is to the care of an angel. That is why we must have a lively and profound devotion to our own guardian angel, and why we should often and trustfully repeat the dear prayer we were taught in the days of our childhood.

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963)

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and guide.

Amen.

It's your Church, Lord, I'm going to bed. ☺

(Pope Saint John XXIII, 1881-1963, when turning in for the night)

SAINT THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS "THE LITTLE FLOWER,"

THE HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS,

SAINT MOTHER THEODORE GUERIN,

THE BLESSED MARTRYS OF SUSSEX,

SAINT THOMAS CANTILUPE,

BLESSED ANDRE DE SOVERAL AND AMBROSIO FRANCISCO FERRO,

SAINT FRANCIS BORGIA,

SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI,

SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA,

BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS,

SAINT PELAGIA THE PENITENT,

THE MARIST MARTRYS OF BARCELONA,

SAINT BRUNO,

BLESSED MARIE ROSE DUROCHER,

SAINT DENIS OF PARIS,

SAINT JOHN LEONARDI,

SAINT JOHN HENRY NEWMAN,

SAINT PAULINUS,

SAINT DANIEL COMBONI,

POPE SAINT JOHN XXIII,

SAINT KENNETH,

BLESSED WILLIAM HOWARD,

SAINT WILFRID,

BLESSED JAN BEYZYM,

SAINT CARLO ACUTIS,

OUR LADY OF APARECIDA,

SAINT EDWARD THE CONFESSOR,

POPE SAINT CALLISTUS I, MARTYR,

SAINT TERESA OF AVILA,

SAINT HEDWIG,

SAINT MARGARET MARY ALACOQUE,

SAINT MARGARET D'YOUVILLE,

SAINT RICHARD GWYN,

SAINT GALL,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT LUKE, EVANGELIST,

SAINTS JOHN DE BREBEUF, ISAAC JOGUES AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT PHILIP HOWARD,

SAINT FRIDESWIDE,

SAINT PETER OF ACALNTARA,

SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS, PRIEST,

BLESSED DAUDI OKELO AND JILDO IRWA,

BLESSED CHARLES (KARL) OF AUSTRIA,

BLESSED DIEGO LUIS DE SAN VITORES, PRIEST, AND SAINT PEDRO CALUNGSOD,

POPE SAINT JOHN PAUL II,

SAINT JOHN OF CAPISTRANO,

SAINT ETHELFLAEDA,

SAINT ANTONY MARY CLARET, BISHOP,

SAINT MAGLIORE,

BLESSED CARLO GNOCCHI,

FREI GALVAO,

SAINT CHAD,

SAINT CEDD,

SAINT OTTERAN,

SAINT SIMON, APOSTLE,

SAINT JUDE, APOSTLE,

SAINT FRUMENTIUS OF ETHIOPIA,

SAINT AEDEIUS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF DOUAI COLLEGE,

SAINT COLMAN MACDUAGH,

SAINT NARCISSUS,

BLESSED CHIARA BADANO,

SAINT MARCELLUS,

THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF WINCHESTER,

SAINT THOGAR,

BLESSED DOMINIC COLLINS,

BLESSED MARIA TERESA TAUSCHER,

SAINT ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ,

SAINT WOLFGANG OF RATISBON,

PRAY FOR US.

*See sockreligious.com 

This month's photo: For Our Lady, raindrops on a rose. Mt. Angel, OR. Lord, hear my voice!

© Gertrude Feick 2025

The Solemnity of our Holy Father Saint Benedict

Jubilee Holy Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

July is the month dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus

He lived a holy life; 

Benedict, blessed in name and in grace.

MARY, QUEEN OF MONKS AND NUNS,

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL DISCIPLES OF SAINT BENEDICT,

MARY, QUEEN OF ANGELS,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

BLOOD OF CHRIST, PEACE AND TENDERNESS OF HEARTS,

SAVE US.

Let them prefer nothing to the love of Christ. 

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:11)

"Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days?", asks Saint Benedict who echoes the psalmist. If you hear this call, and your answer is "I do," then welcome to the Solemnity of our Holy Father Saint Benedict (480-546). Otherwise, well, how can anyone not yearn for life and not desire to see good days? If you join, then, the multitude that has answered this question in the affirmative for the last 1,500 years or so, "then God directs these words to you: If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim" (Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 15-17). And "once you have done this, my eyes will be upon you and my ears will listen for your prayers: and even before you ask me, I will say to you: Here I am" (Prologue, 18). Not much, dear faithful readers, is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us. See, then, how the Lord in His love shows us the way of life (see Prologue 19-20). Ready or not, let us, clothed with faith and the performance of good works, set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see Him who has called us to His kingdom (see Prologue 21). This alone should keep us busy for the next 1,500 years or so. And we are only in the Prologue of the Holy Rule, a "little Rule written for beginners” which has a Prologue followed by 73 short chapters. Even though written around the year 500ish or so, the Holy Rule withstands time and place. Everything Saint Benedict teaches is relevant today. Same world, different people. And Saint Benedict certainly knew something about the human condition which doesn't change too much. 

Before moving on, why is Saint Benedict's Rule a holy rule?  It is a relic, one we treasure, and where we learn of the wisdom, insight, moderation, compassion, love, and sanity of Saint Benedict, as he guides us in this way of life, lived by monks, nuns and sisters in monasteries throughout the world for ages, and by even more Benedictine oblates all over the world, those men and women, many lay, others not, who admirably live by the Gospel and Holy Rule, wherever they find themselves. All those in monasteries owe the oblates heartfelt gratitude for keeping the tradition alive. It is through Saint Benedict's voice in the holy rule, then, that often quotes directly from or alludes to Sacred Scripture or is adapted from rules that came before his, where one learns the genius of Saint Benedict. One can learn too from the Dialogues of Saint Gregory the Great, Book Two, the "Life and Miracles of Saint Benedict." In the Dialogues, we also meet Saint Scholastica, Benedict's twin sister (see Ch. 33). O, dear Saint Scholastica, whose love was greater than her brother's. Saint Scholastica knew, after all, what Saint John tells us, that is, "God is love."

It is from the Holy Rule, however, where one learns of the true character of Saint Benedict. Pope Saint Paul VI was a big promoter of Saint Benedict. In the apostolic letter Pacis Nuntius (October 24, 1964), the pontiff proclaimed Saint Benedict as the principal patron of Europe giving him the illustrious titles of messenger of peace, creator of unity, teacher of civility, and above all the herald of the religion of Christ and the founder of western monasticism!* And it was Pope Saint Paul VI who appointed Abbot Basil Hume as Archbishop of Westminster in 1976, and encouraged him when he said, "Always remain a monk." With that, may all of us always remain disciples of Saint Benedict, here, there, and everywhere. We keep going, united, as we strive to keep our way of acting different from the world's way, knowing too that the love of Christ must come before all else (see RB 4:20-21). So, we join Saint Benedict's favorite apostle, Saint Paul, and declare: "By God's grace I am what I am," and again, "He who boasts should make his boast in the Lord" (see RB 4:31-32).

One voice to inspire us for the following weeks is Saint Benedict, with other voices scattered throughout. It could go on forever, so, in order to refrain from rambling, I will restrain myself ☺. Chapter 4, "The Tools for Good Works," provides more than enough practical tools to use for generations to come. In any case, you can always pick up your handy copy of the Holy Rule and reflect on your favorite passages. The Holy Rule will be referenced as RB, other sources will be made clear.  The first is from a novel I am in the thick of, A Hiker's Guide to Purgatory, by Michael Norton (Ignatius, 2022). The voice is the angel Rafe, something he says to our hiker Dan. It provides a commentary of sorts on the Prologue 15-17, seen above, and the passages from Chapter 4:24-28, that follow Rafe's words.

What I am trying to tell you is this: you're about to discover how much you've been dependent on lies and evasions to get by in the world, and how difficult it can be to give them up. Truthfulness-being truthful in everything-is a skill that doesn't come easily to most people (p. 32).

Rid yourself of all deceit. Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love. Bind yourself to no oath lest it prove false, but speak the truth with heart and tongue.

(RB 4: 24-28)

Truth is not something we invent; if we do, it is a lie, rather, truth is something we discover, like love.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1979)

Pray for your enemies out of love for Christ. If you have a dispute with someone, make peace with him before the sun goes down.

(RB 4:73)

The real test of a Christian is not how much he loves his friends, but how much he loves his enemies.

(Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, 1895-1979)

Listen readily to holy reading, and devote yourself often to prayer.

(RB 4:55-56)

Give yourself over to sacred reading until continual meditation fills your mind and the Scriptures fashion you after their likeness.

(John Cassian, 340-435)

Listen, carefully, my son, to the master's instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart.

(RB Prologue 1)

The direction of oneself toward God and toward solitude in Him prepares the soul for the acquisition of that peace that helps us in the most distracting, most active external work ... Man's silence makes room for God's word. When man is silent, God is heard. And once we listen intently to God we maintain our silence even in the midst of our speech.

(Blessed Stefan Wyszynski, 1901-1981)

Every time you begin a good work, you must pray to Him most earnestly to bring it to perfection.

(RB Prologue 4)

The first step of humility is unhesitating obedience.

(RB 5:1)

Humility is a lovable virtue-delightful to observe in others; painfully difficult to acquire for oneself ... humility ... is a whole attitude of mind ... humility is a virtue for the strong monk, because it enables him to put God and other people at the center of his life, and not himself. It should release the powers and energies with which God has endowed him, and make him a valuable instrument in the service of the Lord. Monks have to be good human beings; the proud are not.

(Cardinal Basil Hume, June 9, 1980, Archabbey of St Vincent's, Latrobe, PA)

Place your hope in God alone ... never lose hope in God's mercy.

(RB 4:41, 74)

The younger monks, then, must respect their seniors, and the seniors must love their juniors.

(RB 63:10)

They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other, supporting with greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body or behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else.

(RB 72:4-7)

Our lives are involved with one another, through innumerable interactions they are linked together. No one lives alone. No one sins alone. No one is saved alone.

(Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi, 48)

May Christ bring us all together to everlasting life.

(Rule of Saint Benedict, 72:12)

OUR HOLY FATHER SAINT BENEDICT,

SAINT SCHOLASTICA,

AMMA SYNCLETICA,

AMMA SARAH, 

SAINT ANTHONY, 

SAINT PACHOMIUS,

SAINT BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX,

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME,

BLESSED COLUMBA MARMION,

SAINT JOHN JONES,

SAINT KJELD,

SAINTS LOUIS MARTIN AND MARIE AZELIE GUERIN,

SAINT VERONICA,

SAINT HENRY,

SAINT TERESA OF LOS ANDES,

SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA,

 “LILY OF THE MOHAWKS,” “ GENEVIEVE OF NEW FRANCE,”

SAINT BONAVENTURE, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH,

SAINT SWITHUS,

SAINT OSMUND OF SALISBURY,

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL,

SAINT HELIER,

SAINT KENELM,

BLESSED JOHN SUGAR, PRIEST AND ROBERT GRISSOLD, MARTYRS,

BLESSED INACIO DE AZEVEDO,

BLESSED THERESE OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND COMPANIONS,

SAINT CAMILLUS DE LELLIS,

SAINT JOHN PLESSINGTON,

SAINT APOLLINARIS, BISHOP, MARTYR,

SAINT THORLAK,

SAINT ELIJAH, FATHER OF THE CARMELITES,

POPE SAINT LEO IV,

SAINT ARSENIUS,

SAINT LAURENCE OF BRINDISI,

SAINT MARY MAGDALENE,

SAINT BRIDGET OF SWEDEN,

SAINT PHILIP EVANS AND SAINT JOHN LLOYD,

OUR LADY, MOTHER OF DIVINE GRACE,

SAINT CHARBEL MAKHLOUF, PRIEST,

SAINT DECLAN,

SAINT JOHN BOSTE,

BLESSED ROBERT LUDLAM AND NICHOLAS GARLICK,

BLESSED JOHN SORETH,

BLESSED MARIA MERCEDES PRAT,

SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNE,

SAINT JAMES, APOSTLE,

SAINT TITUS BRANDSMA,

SAINTS MARTHA, MARY, AND LAZARUS,

SAINT OLAV, MARTYR, PATRON OF NORWAY,

BLESSED STANLEY ROTHER,

POPE SAINT VICTOR I,

SAINT SAMPSON, 

SAINT ALPHONSA MUTTATHUPADATHU,

SAINT PETER CHRYSOLOGUS,

SAINT JUSTIN DE JACOBIS,

SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA,

SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

PRAY FOR US.

*From Gertrude Feick, "The Lived Theology of St. Benedict: Echoes of St. Paul the Apostle in the ‘Holy Rule.’" Thesis, License in Sacred Theology, 2012. 

Today's photo: Saint Benedict, by the hand of Brother Claude, OSB, used with permission of the Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel, OR.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Jubilee Year 2025: Pilgrims of Hope

58th World Day of Peace, "Forgive us our trespasses, grant us Your peace"

January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Reading from the Rule of Saint Benedict for January: The Prologue of the Holy Rule

May the peoples praise You, O God.

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD,

MARY, QUEEN OF HEARTS,

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF FORGIVENESS,

MARY, MERCIFUL MOTHER,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

JESUS, PRINCE OF PEACE,

JESUS, PRINCE OF HOPE,

JESUS, PRINCE OF FORGIVENESS,

JESUS, PRINCE OF MERCY,

JESUS, PRINCE OF RECONCILIATION,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

Happy New Year, and welcome to the Jubilee Year 2025, may we be "Pilgrims of Hope." Jesus, Prince of Hope, have mercy on us. Holy Mother of God, Queen of Hope, pray for us. 

We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. For when our hope is pure, it no longer trusts in exclusively human and visible means, nor rests in any visible end. He who hopes in God trusts God, Whom he never sees, to bring him to the possession of things that are beyond imagination.

(Thomas Merton, No Man is an Island)

May we live in pure hope and be perfectly free. For "hope does not disappoint because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5).

As we celebrate the Holy Mother of God, we also celebrate the 58th World Day of Peace, with the theme "Forgive us our trespasses, grant us Your peace." Perhaps all of us will agree that we could not only invigorate our hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, we could also, along with our neighbors near and far, better some of the ills we experience day in and day out through forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. 

I have been immersed in the series The Chosen. I marvel at the actors and actresses, the character development, the noteworthy lines and scenes, and the lessons to learn by the gradual conversion and witness of not only Jesus' immediate followers, but of others, Jew and Gentile alike. I am presently in Season 4. It is in episode 2, "Confessions," that I have seen one of the most powerful portrayals of forgiveness. Without spoiling it for those who haven't tuned in, there are a few lines to share. Jesus asks Matthew two questions that may help us as we seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God and our neighbor, especially a neighbor with whom we live or work: "Have you asked for forgiveness?" and "Who harmed the other first?" We might also remember a few other things Jesus says to Matthew: "You don't apologize to be forgiven. You apologize to repent. Forgiveness is a gift from the other person." And if you just think you can't apologize due to fear, anxiety, lack of courage, shame, embarrassment, or some other reason, remember these words of Jesus to Matthew: "I make people what they aren't. You know that better than most." Jesus will give you the strength and courage to offer a sincere and heartfelt apology to someone you have harmed. And lastly, in the past, in the present, in the future, for all time then, we might remember that "there is no peace when two of My followers hold resentment towards one another." Thank you, Jesus, you give the peace that the world does not give. However, we have our parts to play. This is why our holy father Saint Benedict instructs us: "Let peace be your quest and aim ... If you have a dispute with someone, make peace with him before the sun goes down" (Rule of Saint Benedict, Prologue 17; 4:73). And lead us not into temptation.

Our friends in heaven and on earth encourage us. 

In teaching us to pray the "Our Father," Jesus begins by asking the Father to forgive our trespasses, but passes immediately to the challenging words: "as we forgive those who trespass against us". In order to forgive others their trespasses and to offer them hope, we need for our own lives to be filled with that same hope, the fruit of our experience of God's mercy. Hope overflows in generosity; it is free of calculation, makes no hidden demands, is unconcerned with gain, but aims at one thing alone: to raise up those who have fallen, to heal hearts that are broken and to set us free from every kind of bondage.

(Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the LVIII World Day of Peace, January 1, 2025, paragraph 10)

Seventy-seven times forgiveness acknowledges that I do not see the whole story, that God does not love me more than He loves those with whom I am in conflict. It is absolute surrender and love, and extravagant kind of grace, and undeserved forgiveness that holds out a hand that may be refused.

(Mother Saint Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997)

It is always tempting to take credit for the gifts and to lay blame elsewhere for our faults. If we do not claim responsibility for the choices that are truly ours, neither can we ask for or seek forgiveness. Too heavy for us, our offenses-to heavy not to allow the Lord to wipe them away.

(Magnificat, Prayer for the Morning, Introduction to Psalm 65, March 9, 2024)

No one heals himself by wounding another.

(Saint Ambrose of Milan, 339-397)

Only the peace of God, which surpasses all pleasures of the senses, can satisfy the aspirations of our soul.

(Venerable Mary Magdalene of Jesus in the Eucharist, C.P., 1888-1960)

Forgiveness often seems impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. The God who lives within us will give us the grace to go beyond our wounded selves and say, "In the Name of God you are forgiven."

(Henri Nouwen, 1932-1996)

If by chance your conscience is burdened by sin, take your rosary and say at least part of it ... [Jesus] will plead for you and will obtain for your contrition and forgiveness of your sins. 

(Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, 1673-1716)

We say that we must seek God, go to Him and ask for forgiveness, but when we go, He is waiting for us. He is first! ... You go [a] sinner but He is waiting to forgive you.

(Pope Francis, Vigil of Pentecost, May 18, 2013)

It is to be hoped that the life of everyone will be a life sustained by passionate love for the Lord Jesus; a life capable of responding to suffering and to thorns with forgiveness and the total gift of self, in order to spread everywhere the good odor of Christ.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, May 20, 2000, to pilgrims on the Centenary of the Canonization of Saint Rita of Cascia, d. 1457)

Breath of life, you who knows us better than we know ourselves, grant that the words we speak serve to praise your name and express your love for creation. Prevent us from speaking in any way that hurts another, but rather let our speech be instructive, uplifting, and always in accordance with your will. We ask this through your son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

(Advent and Christmas with Thomas Merton, Liguori, 2002, p. 81)

There are more than a few saints to invoke this month, including "wholly American," Mother Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. ☺ For all the saints ...

SAINT BASIL THE GREAT,

SAINT GREGORY NAZIANZEN,

SAINT MUNCHIN,

SAINT GENEVIEVE,

SAINT KURIAKOSE ELIAS CHAVARA,

BLESSED STEPHANA QUINZANI OP,

SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON,

SAINT JOHN NEWMANN,

SAINT RAYMOND OF PENYAFORT,

SAINT ANDRE BESSETTE,

SAINT NATHALAN,

SAINT PETER THOMAS,

SAINT ADRIAN OF CANTERBURY,

SAINT ANDREW CORSINI,

BLESSED ANN OF THE ANGEL MONTEAGUDO OP,

BLESSED GONSALVO OF AMARANTE OP,

BLESSED BERNARD SCAMMACCA OP,

SAINT AELRED OF RIEVAULX,

SAINT MARGARET BOURGEOYS,

SAINT BENE (BENEDICT) BISCOP,

SAINT HILARY OF POITIERS, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT KENTIGERN OR MUNGO,

BLESSED PETER DONDERS,

SAINT ITA,

SAINT REMIGIUS, REMY OR REMI,

SAINT FURSA OR FURSEY,

SAINT JOSEPH VAZ,

SAINT ANTONY, ABBOT,

OUR LADY OF ARABIA,

SAINT MARGARET OF HUNGARY OP,

SAINT WULSTAN,

SAINT NINO (HOLY CHILD),

SAINT FAOLAN,

SAINT HENRY OF UPPSALA,

THE JESUIT MARTYRS OF THE REFORMATION OF EUROPE,

BLESSED ANDREW OF PESCHIERA OP,

POPE SAINT FABIAN,

SAINT SEBASTIAN,

BLESSED CYPRIAN MICHAEL TANSI,

BLESSED ANGELO PAOLI,

SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN, MARTYR,

SAINT VINCENT, DEACON, MARTYR,

SAINT PUBLIUS,

BLESSED ANTHONY DELLA CHIESA OP,

SAINT MARIANNE COPE,

BLESSED HENRY SUSO OP,

SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES, BISHOP, DOCTOR,

SAINT PAUL, APOSTLE,

SAINTS TIMOTHY AND TITUS,

SAINT ANGELA MERICI, VIRGIN,

BLESSED EDWARD OLCORNE,

SAINT HENRY DE OSSO,

BLESSED MARCOLINO OF FORLI OP,

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS, PRIEST, DOCTOR,

BLESSED ARCHANGELA GIRIANI,

BLESSED VILLANA DE BOTTI OP,

SAINT AEDAN OF FERNS

SAINT JOHN BOSCO,

SAINT ALBAN ROE,

SAINT THOMAS GREEN,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Mary, Mother of God, most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

© Gertrude Feick 2025

The Nativity of the Lord

December is the month dedicated to the Immaculate Conception 

January is dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus

Reading from the Rule of Saint Benedict for December 24 and 25: Chapter 66 The Porter of the Monastery and Chapter 67 Brothers Sent on a Journey

Light dawns for the just.

IMMACULATE MARY,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

JESUS, BRIGHTNESS OF ETERNAL LIGHT,

HAVE MERCY ON US.

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came to be through Him,

and without Him nothing came to be.

What came to be through Him was life,

and this life was the light of the human race;

the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

(John 1:1-5)

Merry Christmas! Buon natale! Frohe Weihnachten! Joyeux Noel! 

Always be a porter (See RB 66) at your door to let in the true light, which enlightens everyone, and let it shine throughout the world. So be ready, as Meister Eckhart (1260-1328) tells us: "When the human spirit is ready, God enters without hesitation or waiting. You need not look either here or there. God is no farther away than the door of heart." Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favors rests. 

Encouraged by a faithful reader (thank you, padre ☺), I am back. Rather, we are back. And thank you, faithful readers. We are about something new. Or at least you may notice a few new things. At the same time, other things will remain the same. We shall see. Let us call these offerings "occasional." You will see them on occasion then, with occasions to be determined. 

There is so much to ponder at this time where is one to begin ... There is the Vigil Mass where we began: Today you will know that the Lord will come, and He will save us, and in the morning you will see His glory (Entrance Antiphon). Joseph named Him Jesus (see Mt 1:25). Then the Mass during the night where we began: Let us all rejoice in the Lord, for our Savior has been born in the world. Today true peace has come down to us from heaven (Entrance Antiphon). Mass at Dawn takes off with: Today a light will shine upon us, for the Lord is born for us; and He will be called Wondrous God, Prince of Peace, Father of future ages: and His reign will be without end (Entrance Antiphon). And at Mass During the Day, we proclaim: A child is born for us, and a son is given to us, His scepter of power rests upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Messenger of great counsel (Entrance Antiphon). It is overwhelming; what a gift and privilege to accept Him; He who gave us power to become children of God. So, we believe in His name, for from His fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace (see (John 1:1-18). And in just what specific way will you behold the salvation of our God (see Isaiah 52:10), this day and throughout this holy Christmas season?

We go forth, then, with Mary, to keep all these things, and reflect on them in our hearts (See Luke 2:19).

We are encouraged by more than a few voices. 

She who conceived God by faith promises you the same if you have faith; if you will faithfully receive the Word from the mouth of the heavenly messenger, you too may conceive the God whom the whole world cannot contain.

(Guerric of Igny, 1070-1157)

With complete devotion

then let us think of Christ

in the swaddling clothes

with which His mother

wrapped Him, so that

with eternal happiness

we may see the glory and

beauty with which His

Father clothed Him.

(Guerric of Igny, 1070-1157)

Let Mary's soul be in each of you to proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Let her spirit be in each to rejoice in the Lord. Christ has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ in faith.

(Saint Ambrose of Milan, 339-397)

Let your goodness, Lord, appear to us, that we, made in Your image, may conform ourselves to it. In our own strength we cannot imitate Your majesty, power, and wonder nor is it fitting for us to try. But Your mercy reaches from the heavens through the clouds to the earth below ...

You have come to us as a small child, but you have brought us the greatest of all gifts, the gift of eternal love. Caress us with Your tiny hands, embrace us with Your tiny arms, and pierce our hearts with Your soft, sweet cries.

(Saint Bernard of Clairvaux "Troubador of Mary," 1090-1153)

Here is the holy crib of our dear Jesus; I will place everything in it, everything, everything. I believe that before long we shall see things we should never have dreamed of.

(Saint Julia Billiart, 1751-1816, during her final illness)

If the Redeemer had come to be feared and respected among men, He would have come as a full-grown man and with royal dignity: but because He came to gain our love, He chose to come to show Himself as an infant and the poorest of infants.

(Saint Faustina Kowalska, 1905-1938)

It requires faith to believe that Christ will be born in man this Christmas, but much more faith to believe that He will be born in our own heart, that He could fulfill His will of love in our own life, our life with so little radius for His light, so little journeying for His feet, so small a distance for both hands to reach.

(Caryll Houselander, 1901-1954)

By virtue of the creation, and still more, of the Incarnation, nothing here below is profane, for those who know how to see.

(Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, 1881-1955)

The Incarnation is the most stupendous event which can ever take place on earth; and after it, and henceforth, I do not see how we can scruple any miracle on the mere ground of its being unlikely to happen.

(Saint John Henry Newman, 1801-1890)

In putting his signature, in faith, to the mysterium of the Incarnate Son of God, a person is enabled to be a helper to his fellow men, to bring happiness to children, families, and the oppressed. Faith in the Incarnation promotes the salvation of mankind the implementation of human rights.

(Theodor Schnitzler, 1910-1982)

Charity is friendship with God.

(Saint Thomas Aquinas "Angelic Doctor," 1225-1274)

When one is filled with Jesus Christ, one is at the same time filled with charity, with a holy vivacity, and with lofty ideals, whose execution leaves no time for languishing ...

In all the visits we make, let us imitate Mary. Let us visit one another in charity, for under even a simple civility great mysteries may be hidden. Grace will grow where it is made known by humility and by the exercise of holy friendship.

(Bishop Jacques-Benigne Bossuet, 1627-1704)

Quiet is born, not so much around us as within ourselves. To be quiet and concentrated does not mean that one has to be in a peaceful, cloister-like, deserted place, far from tumult. To say this would be an oversimplification ... To be quiet means to have quiet in one's soul.

(Blessed Stefan Wyszynski, 1901-1981)

Great is the amazement of this earth of ours that the Lord of all has come down to it: God has become man, the Ancient has become a child, the Master has become like His servants ...

Who is it who will not listen to this wonder, that God has come to be born? Who will not be amazed when he sees that the Lord of the angels has been born?

(Saint Ephrem the Syrian, 306-373)

Today our Savior is born;

let us rejoice.

Sadness should have no place

on the birthday of life.

No one is shut out from this joy.

(Pope Saint Leo the Great, 400-461)

SAINT JOHN OF KANTY,

SAINT STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR,

SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST,

THE HOLY INNOCENTS, MARTYRS,

SAINT THOMAS BECKET,

ELIJAH AND ELISHA, PROPHETS,

POPE SAINT SYLVESTER I,

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: From the Jensen Botanical Garden, Carmichael, CA Break into song; sing praise.

© Gertrude Feick, 2024/2025